It might not be obvious but ventriloquists are actually very popular. There are a lot of ventriloquists that have joined reality talent shows and some of them have won because they are truly good. There are some who did not need to enter talent shows to become recognized. People just know that they are good.
Jeff Dunham is one of the most famous ventriloquists right now. Just mention his name and people will immediately recognize him. What makes him good is not only his skills and his ability, he is naturally funny too which is required for a ventriloquist act. Other famous ventriloquists are Edgar Bergen, Terry Fator, and Paul Winchell.
